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George H. Alquist Jr.
George H. Alquist Jr. (April 11, 1952 – N/A) is an American preacher and pastor whose ministry within the Independent Fundamental Baptist tradition has focused on biblical preaching and soul-winning for over four decades. Born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, to parents whose details are not widely documented, he grew up in a working-class environment, graduating from Lower Burrell High School in 1970. He accepted Christ as his Savior at age 23 in 1975, later studying at Commonwealth Baptist College in Louisville, Kentucky (1987–1990), earning a Master’s in Christian Counseling from Bethany Theological Seminary in 1990, and a Doctorate in Ministry from the same institution in 1993. Alquist’s preaching career began with founding the Erie Christian Library in 1978 and Grace of Calvary Baptist Church in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1983, where he was ordained in 1984 and remains senior pastor. His sermons, preserved on SermonIndex.net, emphasize salvation, holiness, and practical faith, often featured in Sword of the Lord publications. A prolific writer, he authored over 25 gospel tracts, books like The Christian Gentleman’s Handbook, and created the Saints of the Roundtable men’s discipleship program, alongside over a dozen Christmas plays. Married to Melva since 1972, with whom he has twin daughters fluent in sign language, he continues to serve as moderator of the Tri-State Independent Fundamental Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship since 1997.
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George H. Alquist Jr. reflects on a powerful vision of the cross where the cross, nails, crown of thorns, and tomb speak of their roles in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The cross laments its inability to free the Son of God, the nails express sorrow for their part in the crucifixion, the crown of thorns shares the horror of piercing Jesus' brow, and the tomb rejoices in Christ's resurrection and offer of salvation. Alquist emphasizes that these inanimate objects played a crucial role in God's plan for salvation, highlighting the importance of faith in Christ for eternal life.
If the Cross Should Speak (Poem)
Last Night in prayer I saw the cross on which my Savior died. I asked, "Dear Sir, what was it like?" Before it spoke, it cried. "Of all the things I could be made why was it picked for me that I should hold the Son of God not able to set Him free!? Through tears of grief it broke my heart with mighty depth of pain my bark drank in the blood of God and received that holy stain." I heard just then the nails cry out in sorrow and dismay, "We too were forced an awful role that dark and gloomy day. We trembled in the hands of men while with their mallets grim they forced the nails through sinless hands with which to crucify Him." And at this point the crown gave way to wails of horror too; "They took my beauty and formed me round His beautiful brow pierced through." They all in chorus raised one voice with agony profuse, "Please understand we had no choice or power to refuse!" But then the tomb like steeple bell rang out with great elation, "I could not keep Him, He rose again to offer all salvation." "Dear Friends", I said, "please weep no more nor linger in despair; for you were used of God you see though no one was aware To bring salvation full and free by grace through faith in Christ, and through belief on Jesus' name the gift of eternal life!"
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George H. Alquist Jr. (April 11, 1952 – N/A) is an American preacher and pastor whose ministry within the Independent Fundamental Baptist tradition has focused on biblical preaching and soul-winning for over four decades. Born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, to parents whose details are not widely documented, he grew up in a working-class environment, graduating from Lower Burrell High School in 1970. He accepted Christ as his Savior at age 23 in 1975, later studying at Commonwealth Baptist College in Louisville, Kentucky (1987–1990), earning a Master’s in Christian Counseling from Bethany Theological Seminary in 1990, and a Doctorate in Ministry from the same institution in 1993. Alquist’s preaching career began with founding the Erie Christian Library in 1978 and Grace of Calvary Baptist Church in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1983, where he was ordained in 1984 and remains senior pastor. His sermons, preserved on SermonIndex.net, emphasize salvation, holiness, and practical faith, often featured in Sword of the Lord publications. A prolific writer, he authored over 25 gospel tracts, books like The Christian Gentleman’s Handbook, and created the Saints of the Roundtable men’s discipleship program, alongside over a dozen Christmas plays. Married to Melva since 1972, with whom he has twin daughters fluent in sign language, he continues to serve as moderator of the Tri-State Independent Fundamental Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship since 1997.